The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-16

| The President did not accept the resignation
! of Commissioner Sparks tonight, but will con-
slider it tomorrow.
CONDITION OF THE ARMY
Substance of the Annual Report Presented
by Lieusenant-GeneraiS Sheridan.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15-Lisut- Gen. p. Fl.
Sheridan has presented his annual report 10 the
| Secretary Of War From the report it appears
that at the date of the last consolidated returns
the army consisted of {, 200 officers and "a 236
| men, including Indian scouts The Lieutenant
general briefly sums up the condition of the va
rious divisions of the army, and of the division
| of the Missouri says that while it has been free
from Indian hostiiities of any magnitude. many
operations of minor nature have been rendered
necessary. Troops have been continually occu-
pied in patrolling the Oklahoma country. and
have been successful in keeping intruders out of
that region. The gradual spread of railroads
throughout the Territory can. however. ulti-
mately have but one effect, and General Sheri-
dan is now of opinion that Congress may we'll
consider the advisability of opening portions,
at least. of this country to settlement
The General reviews the difficulties arising in
August last in Colorado. near the UncompahRre
Indian reservation, and their determination
through the intercession OF Lieutenant Burnett,
with a small detachment of the Ninth Cavalry.
He also touches upon the recent trouble occur
ring the Crow Indian reservation, in Mon
tana, and it's settlement by General Ruger. In
order to quiet the restless young men among
the Crow Indians, the report says, General
Rnger has been authorized to enlist about
to Fort Custer. The Crows have always been
friendly, and make it boast that they have
never killed a white man. and it would be .
! great pity if anything should occur to dis
turb the peaceful relations OF 80 long stand
ing, and General Sheridan is confident that
General kueer will be- able to effect a perma-
nent settlement that will be satisfactory the
Crows as well as to the government
In regard to the concentration os the army ia
the larger posts, the report says that the work
on the new post at Denver. vhere 1t IS pro-
posed to place ten companies, will shortly be
commencei; that at San Antonio has been pro-
crossing favorably during the year; the ground
for the new post near Chicago will pass into the
possession of the government at an early day,
and at Fort Smelling both the reservation and
other attendant conditions favorable for the
establishments of large garrison. and only
some additional buildings are required for their
accommodation. The reconstruction Of Fort
Riley has been actively prosecuted during the
year but bsforesit can be com peted additional
appropriations will be necessary. No other post
In the country possesses such advantages for
the location OF a school of practice for light bat
teries aud for cavalry exercises and. since its
establishment for these purposes has been
thorized by Congress, 1t has been deemed but
true economy to erect only buildings OF a sub
stantial and permanent nature. that with the
new equipment of breech loading steel field
guns. metal carriages, and improved harness,
now being manufactured By the ordnance de-
partment, the service will probably ce-
rive marked benefit from TINS sta
tion for number of years. General
Sheridan does not look favorably upon the
proposition of General Miles to separate the In
dians now at San Carlos into several CAMPS
about 100 or 200 miles apart, deeming it for the
best interests Of the Territory of Arizona and of
the Indians themselves that they should be kept
in one body and the duties necessary for their
control concentrated at a single point Divided
into different bands. he fays. each location
might become the center of distur Dances. and
the difficulties of their supervision would be
The General expresses regret at the fact OF
slight increase in the number of desertions dur
ing the year. and sees no remedy for it. He
looks favorably on the new plan of monthly pay
meuts The recruiting service he saws. has n
listed an increased number of good men. Dis
airy schools are reported to be doing good work.
and the army has greatly improved
in rife practice The General renews
his recommendation that 5000 men be
added to the army, and that two majors
and two captains he added TO each infantry reg
iment He recommends the appointment of
changes in handling. men occasioned by changes
in methods of war. The General urges. q
measure highly proinotive of efficiency the
tirement of about eighty old officers who
unfit for duty. but whose relief from active duty
entails additional work who are, a the
same time, withheld from promotion thereby.
time is near at hand when the army should be
supplied with machine guns. and says that un-
less effective arm OF this character IS devel-
oped by an American manufacturer very soon
the government should adopt some foreign re-
peatng gun.
On the subject of our coast de-
fenses, the General says that they
have continued deteriorats during
the year; that adequate defeuses must be the
work of years, aud attained at heavy outlay.
In the meantime. he says. the dynamite gun ex-
perIments show valuable qualities and good re-
suits within their range. and that perimenting
with a view TO their further development should
be encouraged Desirable features the
their comparative inexpsnsiveness. Gen. Sheri-
dan concludes his report as follows
II am strongly IN favor OF the general govern
ment extending all possible aid to the national
tute body Of troops that in any great emer-
gency would form important part of our
military force. They should be armed with the
best of weapons, amply provided with complete
camp and garrison equipaee, and instructed in
the various drills and exercises according to tho
army. According 20 my observation and
experience most of tho State troops
now march well aud handle the gun we'll,
but they deficient in the discipline that
in camp upon a march. This defect can bsst
be overcome by establishing some system of en-
eampment under the control and direction. and
At the entire expense of the general govern
ment. In the developmeut OF such measure
the entire army, well myself personally,
will be glad TO render such assistance lies
in power, and recommend that the favora-
ole consideration OF the subject may be com
mended to Congress
DAVID TURPIE.
He Is Believed To BE Drawing Money Which